Teach English to school or university students to boost their confidence and career prospects.

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Volunteer in Mexico to teach English to school and university students. You’ll support local teachers in the classroom, and take the lead with helping students improve their conversation skills. This project will give you plenty of hands-on teaching experience, which can be valuable to your future career.

In Mexico, many teachers in more rural areas have low English levels, and there are not enough teachers focused on English conversation. It’s an important skill in Mexico, and we need your help. You’ll be able to help students with their pronunciation, encourage them to practice speaking, and raise their confidence. You’ll plan your own classes and activities

You’ll be based in Guadalajara and stay with a local host family. Mexico offers some awe-inspiring sites to see in your free time, like mountains and volcanoes, deserts, beaches, and ancient ruins.

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Flexi Trips > Mexico > Teaching

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Volunteers / Interns

ChildrenAges 3-14(reduced price)

Children aged 3-14 must be accompanied by at least one adult paying full price

We offer discounts for families and groups of friends travelling together. Call us on 01273 007 230 for more info.

Please note this calculator is for pricing information only. You will need to choose your final dates and duration on our application form.

Personalised MyProjectsAbroad website, with all the information you need about your project, accommodation and destination

A free cultural awareness course

Membership to our volunteer social media groups, to share information and to get in touch

Support to help you complete registration or internship documents, if applicable

What's not included?

Flights

Visa costs (where applicable)

Is the Teaching Project in Mexico right for me?

This project is great for those who want to gain practical teaching experience, especially if you’re considering a career in teaching. Use it to add relevant work experience to your CV. It will also give you interesting points to talk about in interviews.

As a volunteer teaching English in Mexico, you’ll sharpen your skills in leadership, planning, and management. These specific skills are useful for any career.

If you don’t have previous teaching experience, don’t worry. You’ll receive a full induction from your project supervisor before you start, and our staff are there to guide you. We also run regular workshops for all Teaching volunteers, where you can brainstorm ideas and discuss challenges. You can also take a look at our extensive online database for ideas.

This project runs year round, and you can join at any time. However, schools are closed over the Easter and Christmas holidays. You can join from a minimum of four weeks, we encourage you to stay as long as possible to make a bigger impact on students.

Please be aware that if you choose to volunteer with us during the school summer holidays, we do arrange alternatives. Contact us to learn more about this option.

What will I do at my volunteer teaching placement in Mexico?

You'll gain teaching work experience in Mexico, at a school or university and focus on teaching English. You can also expect to get involved with the following activities at your placement:

Support local teachers at a secondary school during English classes

Teach conversational English to university students

Attend workshops to learn more about the education system in Mexico

Your work will follow on the following areas:

Support local teachers at a secondary school during English classes

You can play a major role in helping local teachers with their English classes. First, you’ll start off by observing. Once you’ve gained confidence, you can lead your own classes. Your focus is on improving conversation, and giving students confidence with speaking.

Teach conversational English to university students

You can give conversational English lessons to students at the University of Guadalajara. You’ll teach small groups of about ten students at a time. These students have chosen to take part in optional English courses. They will be motivated to learn, and excited to speak with you.

Attend workshops to learn more about the education system in Mexico

We organise regular workshops so you can receive insight into the educational system in Mexico. You will also learn more about the background of the school or university where you’re working. Any other advice you need can be given at these workshops, and you can exchange ideas and discuss challenges.

Where you work on the Teaching Project in Mexico

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico, with a population of five million people. The central plaza is filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops, making for a fun day trip. If it’s the season, you can attend a local football match. We also recommend taking an evening to go watch traditional lucha libre (dramatic Mexican wrestling)!

You’ll work at schools or universities, where there is a shortage in English teachers who focus on improving conversation.

AIRPORT PICKUP, FLIGHTS AND VISAS

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Mexico Arrival Procedures page.

Typical day on the Teaching Project in Mexico

You’ll begin your day with breakfast at your host family’s home. Then you’ll take public transport or walk to your placement, depending on how close you are. On your first day, our staff will be there to show you the way.

If you work at a secondary school, you’ll begin your day at about 7am. You’ll work with teachers while they give their English classes, or you can lead your own lessons. Your main focus will be on encouraging students to practice speaking through activities and games. In one day, you’ll be involved with about four hours of English teaching.

If you teach at a university, you will teach for around six to eight a day. Classes run between 7:00am to 1:00pm. You’ll work with small groups of students, focusing on conversation.

In the afternoons, you can attend workshops to learn more about the school or university where you are working, or about the education system in Mexico. We also encourage you to use your afternoons to plan classes or activities for the next day.

After your busy day, you can return to your host family for dinner. Over your meals you can share the exciting stories of your day with your host family or other volunteers.

In your free time, you can explore. Why not try as many different Mexican meals as you can, like tortas ahogadas - pork rolls drenched in chilli sauce? Your weekends will be free to explore more of Mexico. Mexico is a paradise with amazing sites to discover. Marvel at its mountains and volcanoes, deserts, beaches, and ancient historical ruins.

Aims and Impact of the Teaching Project in Mexico

The aim of this project is to improve English among school and university students in Mexico.

In Mexico, English is an important skill because of the thriving tourism industry, and because it’s the language of international business. This is especially important because Mexico has a strong trade relationship with the United States of America. Students are eager to learn from English speakers, so they can improve their conversation. In more rural areas, teachers’ English levels are much lower, and they struggle to help students practice speaking.

Your role is to help students gain confidence speaking English, and interacting with people from around the world. You’ll also become a source of support for local teachers in the classroom. In turn, you’ll also benefit the teachers by giving them the opportunity to practice speaking with you.

We work toward four long-term goals at our Teaching Project in Mexico:

Improve English

Increase literacy

Improve classroom support

Encourage learning through creativity

Join us as we strive to achieve these goals, while experiencing life in Mexico.

Management Plans

We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.

Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.

Measuring Our Impact

Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.

Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.

I was teaching adults who were a little more advanced, at times completely unassisted. As daunting as it first seemed, I’m thrilled that I got the chance to gain a wider range of teaching experience.

FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION

You'll stay with a host family in Guadalajara. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Mexico and have a truly unique experience.

We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND FREE TIME

With beautiful beaches, arresting art galleries, and buzzing restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Mexico. You’ll have plenty to do during your free time on your project in this dynamic country.

There’s something captivating about touring through old buildings. If you’re into neo-gothic architecture, treat yourself to a trip to the Templo Expiatorio del Santisimo Sacramento. It’s a work of art with its ornate steeples and glowing stained glass windows.

There are also plenty of museums, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the country’s rich history. For something different, you can spend the day appreciating the wildlife and lush vegetation of Las Peñas Ecological Park.

You can’t take a trip to Mexico without tasting authentic Mexican cuisine. You can spend an evening enjoying pozole or tamales at a local restaurant and watching the vivid orange-red sun melt into the horizon.

We have a host of different projects in Mexico so there’ll likely be lots of other volunteers in the area during your trip. So you can choose to travel and explore in a group or on your own.

SAFETY AND STAFF SUPPORT

Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on-hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.

Meet the team in Mexico

Oliver Garcia

Country Director

Oliver is an experienced diver who worked for two years in la Paz Baja California in the north of Mexico as manager of a diving school, while he was also studying marine biology. He joined Projects Abroad in February 2005, just before we moved to our current Turtle Camp in Tecoman, where worked as the conservation manager. In 2015 Oliver become the country director for Projects Abroad Mexico.

Meet the team in Mexico

Pablo Lobera

Conservation Project Manager

Pablo is from Baja California Sur, México, and has been working with Projects Abroad since 2016. He has a master’s degree in Natural Resources Management, and enjoys his role as Conservation Project Manager as he’s able to preserve natural resources and have fun doing it. Pablo enjoys fishing during his free time.

Meet the team in Mexico

Leticia Cano

Volunteer Coordinator

Born and raised in the city of Guadalajara, Leticia joined the team in 2016. She has dedicated her life to specialize in customer service and continues studying. She enjoys meeting new people and learning about other cultures. She is very proud of her city and she strongly believes that Mexico has a lot to show. She would love to travel as much as possible. She loves being with her family and cooking.

Meet the team in Mexico

Juan Jose Diaz (Rene)

Conservation Camp Assistant

Rene has been working with turtles for more than 20 years, having started aged 12! He comes from the local town of Tecoman. Rene is an invaluable part of our team on the Conservation Project and never stops smiling. He is our resident fix-it man and no challenge is too great.

Meet the team in Mexico

Daniel Hernandez

Camp Assistant

Daniel is from Cuyutlan, Colima. He has several conservation diplomas and he’s been involved in the conservation of sea turtles for over ten years on the Pacific coast. Inquisitive and curious, he is a professional at finding turtle nests and reading turtle tracks at night. He has been working in Mexico with Projects Abroad since 2014 as the Conservation & Environment Project’s camp assistant. In his free time, Daniel enjoys fishing, hanging out with his friends and spending time with his daughters.

Meet the team in Mexico

Tatjana Kotschenreuther

Volunteer Advisor

Tatjana was born in Berlin, Germany. She has a degree in Education and has been living in Mexico since 2003. She previously worked as a volunteer coordinator at the Animal Care Centre in Guadalajara, and as a German teacher at different language schools. She joined the volunteer advisor team in May 2016. In her free time she likes to go to concerts or festivals, exercising, and enjoying nature.

Meet the team in Mexico

Jessica Pacheco

Volunteer Advisor

Jessica joined Projects Abroad in September 2015 as a volunteer advisor for Ecuador, Mexico and Nepal. She was born in Xalapa, Mexico and now lives in Guadalajara. She studied psychology. In her free time she enjoys travelling and hopes to one day travel all around the world, meeting new people and experiencing other cultures.

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